New treatment could reduce risk of death from cervical cancer

New treatment could reduce risk of death from cervical cancer

Doctors discovered a novel study linked to cervical cancer treatmentwhich can reduce the risk of death by up to 40% for that disease. It is about the greatest progress in the last 25 years against that diagnosis.

Data of the World Health Organization (WHO) state that this type of cancer is the fourth most common among women worldwide. This is based on the fact that Approximately 660,000 cases are registered per yearof which 335,000 end with the death of those affected.

In Argentina, for its part, figures from Ministry of Health of the Nation They show that, only in 2022, 2,222 women died for cervical cancer.

Many of the affected people are young, most of them only 30 yearsand how worrying that in 30% of cases cancer returns.

Breast cancer in Argentina, a persistent challenge

In Argentina, breast cancer is the leading cause of death from tumors in women, with more than 21,631 new cases annually and a rate of incidence of 31.6%.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent in almost the entire world. According to 2022 data from the World Health Organization (WHO), was the most common among women in 157 countries.

Argentina was no exception, since according to the International Cancer Research Center (IARC), more than 21,631 new cases of breast cancer are detected per year, which represents 31.6% of the total incidence. of cancer in the country and 16.2% of the total cancer diagnoses registered in that period.

Warning symptoms include the appearance of lumps, changes in the shape or size of the breast, nipple retraction, dimpling, redness or cracks, or abnormal discharge.

In the presence of any of these, it is essential to consult a specialist without delay. “Breast self-examination is a recommended practice to detect possible changes in breast tissue through palpation, preferably during the week after menstruation, when the breasts are usually less tender and swollen. But all women should have an annual mammogram starting at age 40. Early detection increases the prospect of treatment,” states the Dr. Valeria CaceresHead of the Oncology Department at the Angel H Roffo Institute.

It is recommended that all women between 50 and 69 years old have a mammogram at least every two years. However, each woman is unique, so you should take into account family history and other risk factors, such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

Therefore, women under 50 years of age and over 69 years of age should consult with their doctor to determine the appropriate frequency of mammograms.

“Early detection of breast cancer is crucial to increasing the chances of successful treatment and improving survival rates. “Regular medical checkups, such as mammograms, allow cancer to be identified in its early stages, when it is most treatable and therapeutic options are less invasive,” states the Dr. Gabriela BugarinMedical Director of MSD Argentina for Oncology.

Risk factors for breast cancer include a combination of genetic, environmental and personal elements. Although most of the detected cases occur in women over 50 years of age, a personal or family history of breast cancer and previous treatments with radiotherapy before the age of 30 are factors that increase the risk, as well as a reproductive history. early or late and have dense breasts.

Staying physically active and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption can help avoid the disease.

“Awareness about the importance of these controls and the education about the factors risk can motivate more women to undergo regular examinations,” reflects Dr. Bugarin.

Available Treatments

Breast cancer treatment depends on the subtype of cancer and the degree of spread from the breast to the lymph nodes (stages II or III) or other parts of the body (stage IV). To reduce the chances of the cancer coming back (recurrence), doctors combine treatments that may include:

  • Surgery to remove the tumor from the breast;
  • Radiotherapy to reduce the risk of recurrence in the breast and surrounding tissues;
  • Medicines to kill cancer cells and prevent their spread, particularly hormone treatments, chemotherapy, or specific treatments with biologics.

Breast cancer treatments are more effective and better tolerated if they are started as soon as possible and taken until the regimen is completed.

Surgery can remove only the cancerous tissue (lumpectomy or partial mastectomy) or the entire breast (total mastectomy). Surgery may also remove lymph nodes to evaluate the tumor’s ability to spread.2

Radiation therapy treats residual microscopic tumors that remain in the breast tissue or lymph nodes, reducing the chance of a recurrence affecting the chest wall.

In cases of advanced cancer, the tumor can erode the skin and cause open sores (ulcers) that are not necessarily painful. Women with breast wounds that do not heal should seek medical attention for a biopsy.

Drugs for treating breast cancer are selected based on the biological properties of the cancer, which are determined by special tests (determination of tumor markers). The vast majority of medicines used against cancer already appear on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.

Source: Ambito

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